Zeon Chemicals begins producing partially biobased elastomers

9:41 AM MST | February 12, 2013 | Rebecca Coons

Zeon Chemicals (Louisville, KY) says it has begun producing Hydrin-brand elastomers at its Hattiesburg, MS, facility using epichlorohydrin monomer derived from palm and other vegetable oils. Up to 20–25% of the polymer is biobased content. Capacity terms were not disclosed. "With the unique balances of temperature, permeation, and fuel resistance, Hydrin is used in a wide range of applications, such as automotive hoses, air ducts, diaphragms, laser printer rolls, and vibration dampening devices," Zeon says. The vast majority of epichlorohydrin...